Browsing by Author "Tomanović-Vujadinović, Sanja (56029483100)"

Background: A growing body of evidence supports the effectiveness of using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in patients with chronic hand motor impairment resulting from stroke. Objective: In this study, we investigate and compare the combined effects of anodal tDCS and occupational therapy (OT) to sham stimulation with OT (control) on fine motor skill deficits of chronic stroke patients. Methods: A total of 26 stroke patients (at ≥ 9 months) were randomly assigned to an active treatment or a control group in a double-blinded, sham-controlled, parallel design study. Each group received OT for 45min/day (10 sessions for 2 weeks). Treatment was preceded by either 20 minutes of 2mA anodal tDCS over ipsilesional M1 or sham tDCS. A modified Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (mJTHFT) was administered as primary outcome measure, and handgrip dynamometer and upper limb Fugl-Meyer (ULFM) assessments were performed as secondary outcomes. The assessment was done at baseline (T0), after the interventions on day 1(T1), day 10 (T2) and day 40 (T3). Results: We observed a statistically significant effect in the tDCS group when the results were compared to the sham group. The mJTHFT times were significantly shorter immediately after treatment and at day 40. The intervention had no effect on handgrip strength or ULFM score. Conclusion: Fine motor skill deficits in chronic stroke survivors can be improved when intensive OT is primed with anodal tDCS over the ipsilesional hemisphere. © 2016 IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved.

Background: A growing body of evidence supports the effectiveness of using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in patients with chronic hand motor impairment resulting from stroke. Objective: In this study, we investigate and compare the combined effects of anodal tDCS and occupational therapy (OT) to sham stimulation with OT (control) on fine motor skill deficits of chronic stroke patients. Methods: A total of 26 stroke patients (at ≥ 9 months) were randomly assigned to an active treatment or a control group in a double-blinded, sham-controlled, parallel design study. Each group received OT for 45min/day (10 sessions for 2 weeks). Treatment was preceded by either 20 minutes of 2mA anodal tDCS over ipsilesional M1 or sham tDCS. A modified Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (mJTHFT) was administered as primary outcome measure, and handgrip dynamometer and upper limb Fugl-Meyer (ULFM) assessments were performed as secondary outcomes. The assessment was done at baseline (T0), after the interventions on day 1(T1), day 10 (T2) and day 40 (T3). Results: We observed a statistically significant effect in the tDCS group when the results were compared to the sham group. The mJTHFT times were significantly shorter immediately after treatment and at day 40. The intervention had no effect on handgrip strength or ULFM score. Conclusion: Fine motor skill deficits in chronic stroke survivors can be improved when intensive OT is primed with anodal tDCS over the ipsilesional hemisphere. © 2016 IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved.

Introduction: Although the overall quality of medicine has improved in recent decades, the functional capacity in many hip fracture patients remains insufficient. The goal of the present study was to identify significant predictors of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) measured by the Lawton-Brody scale at 3- and 6-month follow-up in patients with hip fractures admitted to a hospital. Methods: This observational cohort study included 191 patients with acute hip fractures. IADL was measured at baseline and after 3 and 6 months using the Lawton-Brody scale. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was carried out using pre-fracture functional status, sociodemographic variables, hand grip strength (HGS), surgical procedure, complications, and length of hospital stay, Short Physical Performance Battery, and Barthel Index (BI) on the fifth postoperative day as potential predictors for IADL after a hip fracture surgery. Results: The mean age of the participants was 80.3 ± 6.8 years, and 77.0% of our cohort were women. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that pre-fracture functional status and early functional recovery were independent predictors of IADL after hip fracture surgery. Conclusions: Clinicians should take steps to improve functional outcomes by changing how patients are rehabilitated in the first days after hip fracture surgery, especially for the group of patients with a lower functional status before the fracture. © The Author(s) 2024.